Continuity- The unbroken and consistent existence or operation of something over a period of time.
The term Continuity certainly describes the self proclaimed “WolfPack” who make up the Ravens kicking battery that consists of long snapper Morgan Cox, punter/holder Sam Koch and of course kicker Justin Tucker.
But just how important is it?
“It’s desirable,” Ravens special teams coordinator/associate head coach Jerry Rosburg remarked on Tuesday.
“You know that in this league, change is a constant, so you’re trying to make things as stable as you can.”
Stability is something that the Ravens have enjoyed over the last few years when it comes to the combination of Cox, Koch and Tucker.
Could there be a change on the horizon?
For punter Sam Koch 2013 was certainly an up and down year for the veteran who is entering his 9th season for the Ravens.
Koch has been working hard throughout the offseason to return to his old form which was made evident by Rosburg’s remarks after practice.
“Each year is a new year. I think what we’ve been able to do during the course of these OTAs and football schools is to give Sam an opportunity to go back and refine his game,” Rosburg stated when discussing Koch’s preparedness.
“The things we’ve been working on are wide-ranging. One of the things that’s really been fun is we’ve been able to have two punters out here, which we haven’t had for a while. We’ve been able to go back and forth. Just like it is for anybody, the opportunity to compete against anyone on a daily basis is always more energizing. I think that Sam has punted well. We’ve had really good practices, and it’s been a lot of fun so far.”
Competition is key and often used as a tool to serve notice that one’s job isn’t guaranteed. Perhaps that was the motivation behind the offseason signing of undrafted punter Richie Leone.
While Leone is raw he is quietly learning the position at the NFL level and has impressed Rosburg.
“Richie is a talented young man. You can see that he has the build of an NFL punter. He has long limbs, and he has a powerful leg. He’s getting better at some of the things we’re trying to help him with.
“There are a lot of things he needs to continue to get better at. But this is a really good camp for him; it’s an opportunity for him to work on things when the rush isn’t on, when you have a lot of time, and the game is not pressing us. When you come out here and work for two hours, you get a lot done, and it’s been a lot of fun.”
Thought to be perhaps an offseason cap casualty, Koch certainly has the experience and the upper hand in the competition thus far throughout OTA’s. With Koch slated to earn a base salary of $2.2M (and a $2.8M Cap number) in 2014, the “80-20” figure has to be in the minds of Rosburg and the rest of the Ravens’ personnel execs.
If Leone can give the Ravens 80% of Koch’s performance for 20% of the cost it could free up extra money money in case the Ravens need to make an emergency signing for a depleted position.
While the punter isn’t the sexiest position on the team, in a game often decided by field position it’s an important one.
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